Fuji Five Lakes

Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖, fujigoko) is the name of the area located at the base of Mount Fuji in the Yamanashi prefecture of Japan. It has a population of about 100,000.cite web | author=| year=| title=Government statistics page| format= | work= | url=http://www.mfi.or.jp/fg-kanrika/データーバンク　-%20富士五湖消防本部-%20トップページ.files/kanri/kannaijinkou.htm | accessdate=2007-05-25] and sits approximately 1,000 meters above sea level.cite web | author=| year=| title=Japan-guide| format= | work= | url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html | accessdate=2007-05-25] The name Fuji Five Lakes comes from the fact that there are five lakes formed by previous eruptions of Mount Fuji.cite web | author=| year=| title=Yamanashi Sightseeing Net| format= | work= yamanashi-kankou.jp| url= http://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/english003.html| accessdate=2007-05-25] The principal city in the region, Fujiyoshida, has a population of roughly 54,000cite web | author=| year=| title=Goo| format= | work= | url=http://house.goo.ne.jp/chiiki/kurashi/yamanashi/19202.html | accessdate=2007-05-25] and is particularly famous for its udon noodles. Another point of interest is Aokigahara Jukai Forest.

Lakes of the Fuji Five Lakes

The five lakes are located in an arc around the northern half of Mount Fuji. In ancient times, lava flow from a volcanic eruption of Mount Fuji spread across the area, damming up rivers and resulting in the formation of these lakes. They are all considered excellent tourist attractions and fishing spots. These lakes froze over in winter, but due to global warming this is no longer the case.Fact|date=March 2008

Lake Kawaguchi

Lake Kawaguchi is the most famous of the five lakes, and images of this lake are usually used in posters and commercials for the Fuji Five Lakes area. A large number of hotels line its banks, as do locals providing boat rides to the tourists. It is the only lake in the Fuji Five Lakes area that has an island. Many local cultural events are run near this lake throughout the year.

Lake Motosu

Lake Motosu (本栖湖 motosuko) is the ninth deepest lake of Japan, at 140 meters. This lake, along with Lake Saiko and Lake Shojiko, was formed by lava flowing across what is now Aokigahara Jukai Forest and into the enormous lake that once dominated the area, and these three lakes remain still connected by underground waterways.

aiko (Western Lake)

The western side of Saiko (西湖 saiko) shares its banks with the infamous Aokigahara Jukai Forest.

Lake Shoji

Lake Shoji (精進湖 shōjiko) is the smallest of the five lakes. Remnants of lava flow still jut out of the water. Locals usually fish from these rocks.

Lake Yamanaka

The easternmost and largest of the five lakes, Lake Yamanaka is also the third highest lake in Japan, standing at 980 meters above sea level.

Tourism industry

Most of the capital coming into the area comes from the tourism industry. Approximately 100,000,000,000 yen is spent by 9,000,000 sightseers every year.cite web | author=| year=| title=Asahi Newspaper| format= | work= | url=http://www.asahi.com/culture/update/1120/011.html | accessdate=2007-05-25] The main attractions of the area include:
* Mount Fuji
* Onsens
* Fujikyu Highland - an amusement park featuring one of the world's highest roller coasters.
* The lakes - sightseeing, sailing, and fishing.
* Hiking and mountain climbing.
* Village of Healing (いやしいの里 iyashinosato）- a historically accurate, rebuilt Japanese village.

References

External links

* [http://www.fujigoko.tv/ Fujigoko TV]
* [http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/index_e.php Kawaguchiko's government office] - English homepage
* [http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6904.html Fuji Five Lakes] travel info - includes a map